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Saturday, June 25, 2016

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: October 15, 1862

A young man showed me a passport to-day to return to
Washington. It appears that Secretary Randolph has adopted another plan, which
must be a rare stroke of genius. The printed passport is “by order of the
Secretary of War,” and is signed by “J. H. Winder, Brig.-Gen.” But this is not
all: on the back it is “approved —
by order of Major-Gen. Gustavus W. Smith,” and signed by one of Smith's “adjutants.”
So the command of the Secretary of War is approved by the New Yorker, Smith,
after being first manipulated by Winder. It is an improvement, at all events,
on the late mode of sending out spies — they cannot get passports for bribes
now, without Smith's adjutant knowing something about it. Heretofore the “Plug
Uglies” might take the bribe, and by their influence with Gen. Winder, obtain
his signature to a blank passport.

The following was received yesterday:

winchester, Va., Oct. 14, 1862.

hon.
G. W. Randolph.

The cavalry expedition to Pennsylvania
has returned safe. They passed through Mercersburg, Chambersburg, Emmetsburg,
Liberty, New Market, Syattstown, and Burnesville. The expedition crossed the
Potomac above Williamsport, and recrossed at White's Ford, making the entire
circuit, cutting the enemy's communications, destroying arms, etc., and
obtaining many recruits.

R. E. Lee, General.

Thus, Gen. Stuart has made another circle round the enemy's
army; and hitherto, every time he has done so, a grand battle followed. Let
McClellan beware!

A letter, just received from Gen. Lee, says there is no
apprehension of an immediate advance of McClellan's army. This he has
ascertained from his scouts sent out to obtain information. He says the enemy
is in no condition to advance. Will they go into winter quarters? Or will Lee
beat them up in their quarters?

But the government has desired Lee to fall back from the
Potomac; and Lee, knowing best what he should do at present, declines the honor.
He says he is now subsisting his army on what, if he retreated, would
subsist the enemy, as he has but limited means of transportation. He says,
moreover, that our cavalry about Culpepper and Manassas (belonging to the
command of Gen. Gustavus W. Smith), should be more active and daring in
dashing at the enemy; and then, a few weeks hence, McClellan would go into
winter quarters. That would insure the safety of Richmond until spring.

There is a rumor, generally credited, that Bragg has led the
enemy, in Kentucky, into an ambuscade, and slaughtered 25,000. A traveler from
the West reports having read an account to this effect in the Louisville Journal.
If the Journal really says so — that number won't cover the loss.
The Abolitionist journals are incorrigible liars. And, indeed, so are many of those
who bring us news from the West.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 170-1